PRESS RELEASES
Rosewood Phnom Penh launches Open Door apprenticeship for 2021, the latest in a proud history of corporate social responsibility programs
March 09, 2021
Dedicated to supporting the local community since opening in 2018, Rosewood Phnom Penh is proud to introduce its latest corporate social responsibility project: Open Doors, a year-long paid internship for disadvantaged Cambodian youth who are interested in a career in luxury hospitality.
Run in collaboration with established NGOs, such as Pour un Sourire d’Enfant, EHT Paul Dubrule and Sala Baï Hotel School, the meaningful new training program provides 12 underprivileged students from remote parts of the country with the opportunity to live and work in the buzzing capital while cultivating invaluable experience at Rosewood Phnom Penh. The selected students will receive complimentary accommodation and meals throughout the program, as well as NSSF medical insurance and a generous monthly allowance for expenses.
“Rosewood Phnom Penh’s new Open Doors program can make a dramatic difference in the lives of Cambodian youth, offering a pathway to success in the hospitality industry,” says Michael Parker, managing director of Rosewood Phnom Penh. “As part of our company’s philosophy, we believe that education is a great equalizer – and we are committed to providing the tools, skills and support for local talents to flourish.”
Our commitments to the community
The Open Doors program is the latest in a long line of CSR initiatives undertaken by Rosewood Phnom Penh alongside Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a global pioneer in promoting education, enrichment and empowerment in low-income communities around the world.
Since Rosewood Phnom Penh opened in 2018, the hotel has put corporate social responsibility at the heart of its business, working with trusted local and international NGOs to support community-driven solutions and make an impact on the grassroots level.
Supporting literacy and gender in education
Among the hotel’s long-time charity partners is Room to Read. This global organization is a leading non-profit, working towards gender equality in education in developing countries. Room to Read not only instills early literacy skills and reading habits in young girls but also provides resources for secondary school female students to reduce dropout rates.
Over the years, Rosewood Phnom Penh has partnered with the NGO on several impactful campaigns, from organizing an annual flea market to raise funds for school outreach to sponsoring the construction of a new volleyball court at a local school, redecorating a classroom, and hosting student delegations who are interested in careers in the hospitality sector.
In 2018, the hotel hosted 120 guests for a successful charity dinner, which featured an inspirational lineup of Room to Read alumni who shared heartfelt and personal stories. Not only did the event succeed in its mission to raise funds for the nonprofit, but the memorable evening also provided a valuable opportunity for guests and speakers to learn from one another.
What’s more, every year Rosewood Hotels & Resorts supports the Room to Read Girls’ Education Program, funding 100 young women to continue their secondary school education in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Helping children live with dignity
Another local NGO that Rosewood has been proud to support is the Krousar Thmey Foundation. Founded in 1991 in a refugee camp in Thailand, this long-established local charity was the first Cambodian organization to help disadvantaged children. Today, the nonprofit supports displaced, traumatized youth living on the streets by providing child welfare, cultural and artistic development programs, and education for those with disabilities.
Every month, Rosewood Phnom Penh donates unused toiletries to the foundation, which recycles and redistributes an incredible 1,500 soaps and 50 liters of shampoo to Krousar Thmey shelters caring for street children. These resources provide a modest yet meaningful way to help impoverished youth live with dignity despite their economic situation.
A pathway to success
Learning provides the foundation of all growth and possibilities in life, which is why Rosewood Phnom Penh believes in providing practical opportunities for the local community to unlock aspirations, develop critical thinking skills and unleash their full potential.
In collaboration with Pour un Sourire d’Enfant – a local NGO that elevates local youth through food, health, protection, education and vocational training programs – Rosewood Phnom Penh invites Cambodia’s most promising students to pursue internships and apprenticeships at the hotel. The program has been so successful that Rosewood Phnom Penh has hired several graduates, who have gone on to thrive in the industry.
Creating a cleaner, greener city
Investing in a healthy environment is another key way that Rosewood Phnom Penh supports the community in a lasting, sustainable way. As part of the capital’s “Clean City” campaign, at least 20 Rosewood teammates participate in a citywide cleanup every month. This government-backed initiative brings together volunteers from all walks of life, uniting in one collective cause to create a cleaner, more beautiful city for all to appreciate.
